Be the Referee: Points at the Edge

January 25, 2018

In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains how scoring opportunities have increased in wrestling this season.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Points at the Edge of the Mat - Listen

There’s a new rule change that will add excitement to high school wrestling.

This new national rule now rewards aggressive action to score points or even work for a pin even when one of the wrestlers appears to be out of bounds.

Wrestling shall continue and points can be scored when a wrestler’s supporting points, while holding the opponent, remain in bounds. Those points of support include the knees, the side of the thighs, the rear end, the hands, and the head. For the purpose of the rule, the toes are not considered a supporting point if they are the only body part in bounds. If that happens, the whistle blows and the action would reset.

Past editions
January 18: Behavior Warning - Listen
January 11: Ice Hockey Safe & Sound - Listen
January 4: Why No Shot Clock - Listen
December 21: Coaches Responsible for Equipment - Listen
December 14: Mentoring New Officials - Listen
December 7: Dive on the Floor - Listen
November 30: Wrestling Weight Monitoring - Listen
November 23: Ejections - Listen
November 16: Toughest Call - Listen
November 9: Hurdling - Listen
November 2: The Survey Says - Listen
October 26: Helmet Comes Off -
 Listen
October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
October 5: Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
September 28: Misunderstood Football Rules: Kicking - Listen
September 21: Preparation for Officials - Listen
September 14: Always Stay Registered - Listen
September 7: Other Football Rules Changes - Listen
August 31: Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen

Be the Referee: Football Holding

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

August 27, 2024

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Football Holding - Listen

In football, it’s often said that holding happens on every play. But does it?

When an offensive player uses their hands or arms to illegally restrain a defensive player – that’s holding. This typically happens when blockers grab or pull defensive players away from their path – impeding their ability to make a play. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot.

Defensive players can be flagged for holding as well. That’s also a 10-yard penalty. An example of defensive holding is when a cornerback grabs a receiver to slow him down before the ball is thrown. If that same contact happens while the pass is in the air – then it’s pass interference. Defensive pass interference is a 15-yard penalty.

PHOTO A football official signals holding during a 2023 game. (Photo by Gary Shook.)